Double Glazing Advice and Recommendations Please

ThriftyThree

I am looking into having double glazing as we still only have the original windows our house came with, which are only standard glass and getting very tired indeed and it gets extremely cold when winter comes around!

Our front room window is significantly larger than the rest so we were considering prioritising that one and possibly having the others done at a later date to minimise upfront cost while still hopefully seeing a benefit from the main window. However, I was wondering whether the cost saving of having the whole house done as one job, and energy saving benefit, would make this a better option in terms of value for money?

Also, in terms of glazing options and extras they might offer, is it worth going for more advanced options like triple glazing? as I have read this can help reduce outside noise more than double glazing?

One of the main things that has led us to put off the work, aside from cost of course, is the likely disruption while the work is done. Can anyone advise just how bad this is and any tips on how to deal with it and be well prepared? Specifically how long does a typical window take to be done (including removal of old window)? How much access is needed inside the property? e.g. how much space is needed around the window to avoid things such as furnishings being damaged with brick dust and debris?

Aside from that we were wondering how you choose a glazer to do the work? We occasionally get door to door calls from them, but are extremely wary of whether these are reputable? How exactly do you find a good glazer, or does anyone have any recommendations please? We are in the north east if that helps.

Lastly, cost is absolutely a concern, though with the ever rising cost of energy, not having it is definitely costing more in the long run. I suppose getting the best price is a case of shopping around? But are there any grants or schemes that we may be eligible to help somewhat with the total cost?

Sorry for such a long post but we are completely clueless about this and would value any advice please.

CSI_Yorkshire

ThriftyThree said:

One of the main things that has led us to put off the work, aside from cost of course, is the likely disruption while the work is done. Can anyone advise just how bad this is and any tips on how to deal with it and be well prepared? Specifically how long does a typical window take to be done (including removal of old window)? How much access is needed inside the property? e.g. how much space is needed around the window to avoid things such as furnishings being damaged with brick dust and debris?

When mine were changed, there was basically no disruption.  Didn't even need to retouch the paint inside.  Took a day to do 9 windows.

FreeBear

ThriftyThree said: Our front room window is significantly larger than the rest so we were considering prioritising that one and possibly having the others done at a later date to minimise upfront cost while still hopefully seeing a benefit from the main window. However, I was wondering whether the cost saving of having the whole house done as one job, and energy saving benefit, would make this a better option in terms of value for money?

I had all my windows (and a door) replaced in three stages to help with spreading the cost. It did cost extra doing it that way, but difficult to say exactly how much as I was also victim to price increases. Probably around £500 extra...

One cost that I had budgeted for was lintels to support the outer leaf of brickwork on two of the openings. One we got away with slotting the steel in after removing a couple of bricks. The other required an entire soldier course to be removed first. Due to the state of the bricks, ended up having to source new imperial bricks to match the old ones.

Don't go with the door knockers - You'll be paying for multiple levels of sales bonuses. Find a local independent installer who has experience of similar properties in the area.

QrizB

My only advice would be to avoid any firm you've heard of!

When we had our windows replaced (a previous house) we got quotes from a couple of local firms and one from a national company that advertised on TV.

The local firms were happy to give an estimate over the phone and then follow up with a visit to quote in detail if/when we expressed interest.

The national company wouldn't provide an estimate but sent over a salesman who spent two hours trying to sell us on his windows. The price was more than double the local firms' estimates, only available if we signed up there and then, and he got quite huffy when we turned him down.

We want with one of the locals and were very satisfied.

BUFF

You will pay more if you get the house glazed in stages - you will be paying for multiple visits to survey/install.

Double/triple glazing is rarely cost effective in terms of saving enough money on energy use to repay the cost of the work unless you already have to replace the existing frames for some reason.
& there definitely will be a comfort benefit that you can't put a financial figure on.

dreamyd

Hi (newbie on this side of the  MSE forum 
We're planning to replace our double glazing (70s build mid-terraced house) as it's failing in a number of places. Any rough ideas as to how much would be reasonable? We don't want anything madly fancy - in East Anglia

FreeBear

dreamyd said: We're planning to replace our double glazing (70s build mid-terraced house) as it's failing in a number of places. Any rough ideas as to how much would be reasonable? We don't want anything madly fancy - in East Anglia

Very much depends on the number of windows, the sizes, and if lintels are required.

I got quoted around £5K six windows plus a three panel bay by local installers. A national outfit (dumb smucks cold called offering "energy survey") qouted some £13K, but with a "grant", it would only be £7,500. I said no thanks, got your business card so that I can now report you to the ICO for breaching TPS rules. Wasted a good few hours of his time

Flo87

Last year I`ve changed almost all the house in NW( 4 windows 1.85 m height/0.9 m wide tilt and turn, 2 windows 1.85 m height/ 0.55 m wide tilt and turn and a French door 2.5 m height/1.6 m wide with top part tilting) the quotes was from £6000(small local company) to £23000(big company advertised on TV and with a sale rep coming to give the best deal - NOT). I`ve choose a company from Stoke-on-Trent because they was the cheapest (£7000) that offered full tilt and turn and triple glazing and above 5 years warranty on the frames.

Postik

At my old house I had a bathroom window replaced and there was no damage that could be seen to the plaster work and I didn't even need to re-tile around the window.  I seem to remember they used a few small pieces of plastic trim either to disguise any damage to the plaster or more likely to cover a small gap between the tiles and the new window.  Either way I was amazed at how tidy a job it was.